The Alchemist

Book Summary:

Through The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho helps readers understand the importance of pursuing one’s destiny and how the universe helps one reach their goal.

Santiago is the protagonist of Coelho’s story. He is a simple shepherd boy who tends to his flock, and lives in the Andalusian Mountains. Santiago’s tidy and sterile universe becomes unsettled when he starts having recurring dreams about finding treasure at the Egyptian Pyramids. Santiago becomes convinced that these dreams are prophetic. As a result, he travels to Romani. He meets a gypsy who convinces Santiago that there is indeed a treasure to be sought from the majestic Pyramids, and therefore persuades him to go to Egypt. At the start of his journey, Santiago encounters Melchizedek, the King of Salem who convinces him to pursue his deepest desires, or Personal Legend.
Spurred on by the old King, Santiago abandons the comforts associated with his shepherd’s life, and continues forward to Egypt. Santiago’s journey takes him from Spain into Tangiers, encountering many obstacles along the way. During the course of his travels he meets Fatima, an exotic Arabian woman who encourages Santiago to follow his heart. Santiago’s meeting with a mysterious Alchemist heightens the climax of The Alchemist. He tries to make Santiago understand that most people are only concerned with the treasure associated with their personal legends and not with the actual legend itself.

As Santiago’s journey finally brings him to the treasure, it is the people he encounters, the things he sees, and the wisdom he acquires, that makes him realize the importance of pursuing his destiny. The Alchemist will help readers experience a self realizing moment. They will discover that fear, discouragement, attachment, and guilt prevents many individuals from following one’s path, or Personal Legend.

Book Details:

Title: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN-10: 8172234980
ISBN-13: 9788172234980
Year of Publication: 1993
Cover: Paperback
Pages: 224
MRP: 250

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!